Greetings on this the Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Pt 1:3-9; Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c; Mk 10:17-27
Notes
USCCB on-line bible, NABRE Commentary on Mark 10:23-27 – Since wealth, power, and merit generate false security, Jesus rejects them utterly as a claim to enter the kingdom. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift (Mk 10:27).
Summary
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Reflection
For the rich man, he was satisfied he was fulfilling the naturally good path for relations between people. Jesus agreed with him. Yet, it is not enough and unsettling to the spirit to keep things at that simple level. Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
This is the deeper and more important question. How do I inherit eternal life?
Here are the KEY words: INHERIT and HEIR.
- To Inherit means to receive as a heir – someone who belongs to another by way of parents, ancestors or predecessor.
- To be an Heir – means to be legally entitled to rank or possession.
Said another way, What must I do to be legally entitled to eternal life, a life that belongs to God and I want it.
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him: “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Rely upon God.
Personal Reflection
YouTube Song
This rich man had the power of the Centurion – personal power.
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (MT 8:8-9).
What is needed is Divine Power.
Here is the tension in the answer. It is the power of the divine that allows us to follow Jesus. It is the decision of a person to follow Jesus. The impulse to follow is deep within us from our conception – What must I do to inherit eternal life? It is the faith bridge we must cross. We don’t cross it alone. The divine Jesus, looked at him, loved him, and encouraged him to cross the chasm of self-reliance to divine partnership.
First Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
Responsorial
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Gospel Acclamation
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Gospel
The Rich Man.
A man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[Jesus recites the 4th to 10th commandments, how we treat each other]
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
[The rich man was naturally righteous]
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
[The rich man was missing righteousness with G-d. The first to third commandments].
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry